Southampton destroyed as Arsenal new boys run riot.

Everything clicked for Arsenal at the Emirates, as Southampton remained without a point four games back in the big time. Arsenal were yet to lose in their first three games of the season while Southampton were yet to avoid defeat. The game was over by half time as Arsenal had raced out to a 4-1 lead. Kieran Gibbs’ shot on eleven minutes got the show on the road as it took a large deflection off Hooiveld, leaving the keeper with no chance. The next Arsenal goal came on thirty-one minutes from Lukas Podolski, who delightfully curled home his free-kick from close to thirty yards. Just four minutes later, Gervinho made it 3-0 when he was played behind the Saints defence by Arteta and then proceeded to blast the ball past Davis at the near post. On thirty-seven minutes it was four, with once again Kieran Gibbs’s cross being deflected into the back of the net. Southampton did manage to get a first half goal, when Szczesny dropped a sitter, allowing Daniel Fox to score right on half time. Arsenal scored their fifth goal on seventy-one minutes, when Aaron Ramsey beat two players, before his shot hit the post, only for Gervinho to tap home. Arsenal sealed the rout two minutes from time when Walcott slotted home after Oxlade-Chamberlain had his shot saved. Arsenal finally seemed to hit top gear against Southampton, with both new boys Cazorla and Podolski having great games. Southampton may be yet to secure their first points of the season, but three of their first four games have been against Arsenal and both the Manchesters.

Man of the Match: Santi Cazorla. Just. Gervinho and Podolski were both brilliant, but Cazorla was just in the middle of everything and was often the architect in the Arsenal attacks.

Norwich 0-0 West Ham

Norwich went into their home game against West Ham desperately needing their first win of the season, while the Hammers had won two of their first three games since being promoted from the championship. West Ham had the best early chance, when on thirteen minutes, Carlton Cole’s header was cleared off the line by Martin, only for Matt Taylor to smash the rebound wide. Kevin Nolan then almost scored, as his header was smartly saved by John Ruddy. Norwich then had a spell of dominance as they tested Jussi Jaaskelainen and the West Ham defence. Norwich were forcing West Ham into numerous blocks and saves from efforts from Robert Snodgrass, Grant Holt, Sebastien Bassong and Andrew Surman as the home side looked to break the deadlock. Just before the break, Norwich thought they had a penalty when Collins cleaned up Surman, but referee Foy correctly ruled that the poor tackle had occurred just outside the box. In the second half Snodgrass came very close with a good, low effort, and Bradley Johnson shot straight at the keeper. Norwich had one late chance in stoppage time, when Harry Kane was played through, but hit a weak shot straight at Jaaskelainen. Not the worst result for West Ham as they’re now in seventh and would be happy with their start to the season. Perhaps early worry signs for Norwich as they still only have three points from four games.

Man of the Match: Kevin Nolan. He’s going to be the most important player for the Hammers this season. Can score goals and is always a threat to any side, as he proved on the weekend.

Stoke 1-1 Manchester City

Manchester City travelled to the Britannia knowing not to underestimate Stoke, after they were beaten there last season due to a Peter Crouch wonder goal. Stoke had lost two of their first three and were desperate for a win that would see themselves in the top half of the table. The first close encounter came on five minutes, when Carlos Tevez’s long range effort was deflected just wide. Against the run of play, Stoke took the lead on fifteen minutes, when Peter Crouch seemed to handball three times from a Walters cross before slotting the ball past Joe Hart. City immediately pressed for an equaliser, with both Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure putting efforts over the bar. City did equalise on thirty-five minutes from debutant Javi Garcia, who headed home Carlos Tevez’s free kick. Stoke almost threw away their lead immediately after conceding when Begovic was forced to keep out Maicon’s powerful volley. Yaya Toure came to life in the second half, with an early shot sublimely saved by Begovic. Later, Michael Owen came on for Stoke but to no effect as City pushed for a dramatic finish. Nasri thought he had won a penalty for the visitors, before smashing a shot straight at Begovic from the edge of the area. Begovic pulled a save out of nowhere in the ninety-first minute to deny Garcia. In the ninety-fourth Ryan Shawcross was the hero for Stoke when he cleared Edin Dzeko’s skilful lob over Begovic off the line, forcing the sides to share the points. Man City will maybe feel unlucky, as Begovic played a brilliant game for Stoke. But City will be able to look at positives and will definitely be confident as they host Arsenal in their next match. Stoke are now on four points from four games and with a trip to Stamford Bridge coming up!

Man of the Match: Yaya Toure. The Ivorian was brilliant in the second half, as he was in the heart of all of the City attacks. He was definitely best afield.

QPR 0-0 Chelsea

With Chelsea knowing that a win would keep them at the top of the table, and QPR already struggling, both teams were desperate. All the controversy occurred before any balls had even been kicked. During the pre-match handshake, Anton Ferdinand refused to shake Chelsea captain John Terry’s hand after Terry refused to apologise after the racism accusations that occurred the last time the two teams met at Loftus Road. Chelsea made all the early attacking but both John Terry and Eden Hazard missed early opportunities to give the visitors the lead. Bobby Zamora had QPR’s only shot on target in the first period but put the ball nearly straight at Petr Cech. Chelsea continued to press with Torres smashing straight at home debutant Cesar after dancing his way into the box. QPR lost both Fabio and Andy Johnson to injury before the break. Park had an amazing chance to give QPR the lead early in the second only to miss Granero’s cross. Branislav Ivanovic almost gave Chelsea the lead when he put Hazard’s cross just wide. With not long to go Bobby Zamora should’ve won the game for QPR. Mikel played the ball without looking straight to Zamora, who hesitated allowing John Terry to get back and get a block in. Hazard found himself completely unmarked in the final moments, but lacked a finish, and smashed over. Neither side really deserved to win it, with the points being deservedly shared. QPR are now struggling with just two points from four games, while Chelsea, despite not winning, remain on top of the table.

Man of the Match: Eden Hazard. The Belgian was once again brilliant for the Blues. His pace and skill are continuing to prove a difficulty for English sides.

Manchester United 4-0 Wigan

Wigan travelled to Old Trafford on the back of a disappointing home draw against Stoke, while United went in to the game without Wayne Rooney and with Robin Van Persie on the bench. Danny Welbeck won a penalty on three minutes after performing a clear dive from an Al-Habsi challenge. Justice was perhaps served when Al-Habsi then produced a fine save, diving low to his left to keep out Hernandez’s penalty. United certainly dominated the first half. Welbeck smacked a Nani cross just wide, as Al-Habsi was left helpless. Nani was then played through before attempting a poor chip. It only took United six minutes to take the lead in the second half, when Al-Habsi fumbled Nani’s weak cross, only for Scholes to pounce and tap home from five yards. United then doubled their lead on sixty-three minutes, with Hernandez redeeming himself for his earlier penalty miss, when Buttner’s mishit shot was directed past Al-Habsi by the Mexican International. It only took another three minutes for United to extend their lead. Buttner picked the ball up on the left wing, fantastically beat four Wigan players, before squeezing his shot past Al-Habsi at the near post. Once again, Al-Habsi shouldn’t have conceded. The rout was completed eight from time when Nick Powell was teed up and smashed the ball past Al-Habsi from just outside the area. A good solid performance from United, which dominated and was close to perfect in the second half.

Man of the Match: Alexander Buttner. On his debut, the left-back was brilliant, a constant threat with his lightning pace and skill. Will prove to be real competition for Patrice Evra.

Fulham 3-0 West Brom

With Fulham coming off the back of an embarrassing 3-0 away lost at West Ham, and West Brom off the back of a good 2-0 win against Everton, it seemed as if Fulham would be challenged by the visitors. Fulham certainly dominated early proceedings as they were constantly attacking without testing Ben Foster. The deadlock was broken just after the half hour mark when Kacaniklic passed to Berbatov, who brilliantly put the ball into the top right corner leaving Foster with no chance. Just minutes later West Brom’s situation went from bad to worse when Peter Odemwingie foolishly was sent off for kicking out at Riether. Fulham made it 2-0 right on half time, once again Kacaniklic was the man who set up the goal when he was fouled in the area. Berbatov stepped up and confidently sent Foster the wrong way. Brunt forced Schwarzer to tip a long range effort over the bar just after the hour mark, as West Brom tried to get back into the game. West Brom weren’t giving up as Lukaku had a low shot saved by Schwarzer. Foster was continuing to keep the Baggies in the game as he continued to deny both Berbatov and Rodallega late in the game. Sidwell finally sealed the win for Fulham in the eighty-ninth minute, when he tapped home after Rodallega’s header hit the bar. A very good win for Fulham, as they propelled themselves into the top half of the table. West Brom will be disappointed, particularly in Peter Odemwingie, whose red card was costly.

Man of the Match: Dimitar Berbatov. Scored a brace on his home debut and was a constant threat for the home team.

Aston Villa 2-0 Swansea

Aston Villa simply had to win at Villa Park against Swansea. They were only on one point after three games and badly needed their first win, while if Swansea had’ve won, they’d be on top. Swansea made numerous chances early, with first Ashley Williams and then Nathan Dyer superbly denied by Brad Guzan. Aston Villa then took the lead against the run of play. Bannan’s corner was cleared by Williams which only went as far as Lowton, who smashed a stunning volley from twenty yards. Swansea’s major opportunity came right near half time when Dyer played a wonderful low cross that Graham failed to get a touch onto. Aston Villa continued to dominate in the second half, seriously testing Swansea on set pieces. First Vorm saved and then Leon Britton cleared off the line from Weimann’s shot from Bannan’s corner. Villa won the game in the eighty-eighth minute, when Williams’ woeful headed back pass went to straight to Benteke who flicked the ball over Vorm before then tapping into the net as Villa Park erupted. A good, much needed win for Aston Villa. Swansea remain in fifth place, with seven points from four games.

Man of the Match: Nathan Dyer. Despite his team being easily beaten, Dyer was Swansea’s best and the game’s best. Very energetic, very quick and very unselfish.

Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool

It’s crisis time at Anfield. Liverpool are now without a win so far this season and are struggling. With Borini yet to make an impact and their defence still looking shaky, Brendan Rodgers needs to change things. Sunderland have drawn each of their three games so far this season. Liverpool started the brighter of the two teams with both Jonjo Shelvey and Fabio Borini missing early opportunities to give the Reds the lead. The deadlock was broken on twenty-nine minutes when Steven Fletcher got onto the end of Craig Gardner’s cross to tap into an open net. Raheem Sterling continued to provide nightmares for the Sunderland defence in the first half, and picked up the way he left off in the second half, constantly testing the flexibility of Danny Rose. After the break both Johnson and Gerrard hit the woodwork for the Reds. First, Glen Johnson had his right foot effort hit the crossbar on fifty minutes and then Gerrard had his effort on the hour mark hit the outside of the post. Liverpool’s next chance came on sixty-five minutes when Gerrard’s deflected shot fell to Skrtel, only for his shot to be well saved by Mignolet. Liverpool did find an equaliser on seventy-one minutes, when Sterling’s cross rebounded straight back to Suarez who pounded the ball into the net from five yards. Liverpool could’ve won the game, but Shelvey had his left foot shot well saved. Another frustrating result for Liverpool, and with their biggest game of the season next week against Manchester United at Anfield, they were in dire needs for a win at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats may consider themselves lucky to’ve escaped with a point, as Liverpool had several opportunities to take all three points.

Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling. By far the most energetic and threatening player on the field. He’s proving to be a real talent, definitely one to keep an eye on for the future.

Reading 1-3 Tottenham

Tottenham found their first win of the new season with a comfortable away win at Reading. Both sides went into the game chasing their first wins of the new campaign. Tottenham started the game very well, with both Sigurdsson and Vertonghen being very well denied by McCarthy inside the opening four minutes. Reading thought that they had won a penalty when the ball appeared to hit Walkers’ arm, only for Howard Webb to give a free-kick to Spurs. Tottenham did find the net on seventeen minutes when Sigurdsson found Lennon well, who squared the ball for Defoe to slot home from fifteen yards. Spurs almost had a second on half an hour, after Defoe rounded the goalkeeper, centred the ball for Sigurdsson, whose shot was blocked off the line by Pearce. The second half started the same as the first half, with Tottenham domination. Spurs had a chance to make it 2-0 on fifty-three minutes, when Dembele’s deflected shot fell to Defoe, whose shot was poor and missed by some distance. It did become 2-0 to the away team on seventy minutes. Walker went around two defenders, before cutting the ball back to Gareth Bale, whose poor shot lobbed over the top of a helpless McCarthy into the bottom corner. Reading did get some consolation in the eighty-ninth minute when Robson-Kanu tapped in a good cross to spoil Brad Friedel’s day. A good away win for Spurs, as they seem to be beginning to find form. Reading will perhaps be disappointed as they were certainly not up to scratch.

Man of the Match: Jermain Defoe. The small forward proved once again that he isn’t finished just yet. His third goal from his four games of the season could mean bad news for Emmanuel Adebayor.

Everton 2-2 Newcastle

Everton threw it away. Everton were bouncing back from their first loss of the season away at The Hawthorns, while Newcastle went into the game coming off a home draw against Aston Villa. Nikita Jelavic thought he had given the Toffees an early lead, but was ruled offside and also cleaned himself up when colliding into the post. It wasn’t long before Everton did have a goal though, as Baines played a wonderful one-two with Steven Pienaar down the left wing before wonderfully finishing across the face of Steven Harper. Pienaar had an opportunity to double the home side’s lead before the break. Pienaar pickpocketed Perch and should have passed to Osman, but instead elected to shoot, and shot wide. Jagielka also had a first half opportunity, as he clipped the post with a volley from Nikita Jelavic’s layoff. It only took Demba Ba four minutes after coming on at half-time to equalise, when he put his shot across the face of Howard. Cisse almost put Newcastle ahead when his volley just went over the bar from Perch’s pass. Anichebe thought he had regained Everton’s lead on seventy-seven minutes when his header crossed the line, only for the linesman not to award the goal, fuelling outrage all around Goodison Park. Anichebe then thought he had won the game for the home side, when he finished past Harper, after his neat turn. Just a minute later though, disaster struck at Goodison Park, as Ba got on the end of Ameobi’s chest-on and easily finished past Howard. Newcastle will consider themselves lucky, as they clearly didn’t deserve a point out of their trip to Goodison Park. Understandably, Everton will be furious not to have been awarded their clear goal.

Man of the Match: Marouane Fellaini. With the Belgian casting large doubt over his future at Goodison Park, he once again showed why he could be one of the major talking points come January.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

We already have a clear showing of who will be up and around the top fourthis season, and those heading in to the dreaded relegation zone.

Currently in year 10 at Coburg Senior High School. Love my sport, in particular football (soccer). Play in a seniors indoor team on Wednesday nights at Box Hill indoor sports centre. Diehard Manchester United fan. Support the Bulldogs in the AFL.

Related

Comments

Loving your EPL reviews each week Tom. Newcastle very lucky to get a point out of the Everton game. Demba Ba was brilliant with his two goals, the fact that he sat on the bench for the first half is mind boggling. Plenty of talk from his manager that Ba isn’t happy with manager Pardew. Hope he stays. The pre-game events at the QPR v Chelsea game made for great television.

RVP and Ba as bench warmers…I know this is a strong League, but that is incredible. Rooney and Dzeko have also started as reserves. What’s the logic Clarkey? Is it player management or just deciding they are “impact” players?

Facebook and Twitter

Want to know when new stories are posted?

Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. Note: this is not our eNewsletter sign up. Use the form on the other side to subscribe to our email eNewsletter as well!